Surf and Turf (Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail)

A pan-seared filet mignon topped with garlic herb butter and a broiled butterflied lobster tail, served with drawn butter, lemon and asparagus. A steakhouse dinner for two.

Filet mignon with herb butter and a broiled lobster tail with melted butter, lemon and asparagus
  • Prep 20 min
  • Cook 20 min
  • Total 40 min
  • Yield 2 servings

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Questions | Print recipe

Surf and turf is the classic steakhouse splurge: a tender filet mignon and a sweet lobster tail on the same plate. It is easier at home than it looks, since the steak and lobster cook at the same time, one on the stove and one under the broiler.

A little garlic herb butter does double duty, melting over the steak and basting the lobster.

Ingredients

Garlic herb butter

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Steak and lobster

  • 2 filet mignon steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick (6 to 8 ounces each)
  • 2 lobster tails (5 to 6 ounces each), thawed
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup melted butter, for serving
  • Lemon wedges and roasted asparagus, for serving

Instructions

  1. Make the butter. Mix the butter, garlic, parsley and lemon zest.
  2. Prepare the lobster. Heat the broiler with a rack 6 inches from the heat. With kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top of each shell, pull the meat up so it rests on top of the shell, and set on a sheet pan. Brush with half the herb butter and sprinkle with paprika.
  3. Sear the steaks. Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat and sear the steaks 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, 130°F. Rest 5 minutes topped with the remaining herb butter.
  4. Broil the lobster. While the steaks cook, broil the lobster tails 5 to 7 minutes, until the meat is opaque and reaches 140°F.
  5. Serve. Plate each steak with a lobster tail, a cup of melted butter, lemon wedges and asparagus.

Tips

  • Broil about 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail.
  • Pat the steaks dry and get the pan very hot for the best crust.

Questions about this recipe

How do I know when a lobster tail is done?
The meat turns opaque white and reaches 140°F.
What steak is best for surf and turf?
Filet mignon is classic; a strip or ribeye works too.

More beef and steak recipes

All beef and steak recipes | All recipes | Cooking guide and safe temperatures